Dr Lorraine Nolan has taken up her new job as Executive Director of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) following her recruitment last year.
The EUDA has recently been given an expanded role to work with international partners around the world.
The agency says it reflects the reality that “drugs are a transnational phenomenon, affecting communities worldwide and posing challenges to public health and security”.
Dr Nolan has more than 25 years of experience working across science, public service and regulatory affairs, including ten years as Chief Executive of Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
She said that she keen to get started at the EUDA
“I look forward to guiding the agency in strengthening Europe’s capacity to anticipate and respond effectively to evolving drug challenges, while driving innovation and organisational transformation.
By promoting collaboration across national, European and international partners and communities, we can enhance resilience, improve preparedness and support healthier, safer societies.
The agency has a long history of scientific excellence. I am so proud to join such a highly committed team at a time when strong facts and evidence-based decision-making matter more than ever.”
Dr Nolan holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Trinity College Dublin. She is the fourth person to hold the top position at the agency and the first woman in the post.
From its headquarters in Portugal, the European Union Drugs Agency helps the EU and member states including Ireland “anticipating and responding effectively to drug-related threats.”
“We issue health and security alerts and risk communications, share knowledge and recommend evidence-based policies and actions to address problems efficiently”, the agency says.